This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Davis, Clayton Eugene, Lt Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Montpelier, Vermont
Last Address Shalimar, Florida
Date of Passing Mar 09, 1991
Location of Interment Barrancas National Cemetery (VA) - Pensacola, Florida
During WWII, he destroyed 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, as well as 4 more on the ground before he had to bail out over enemy territory Aug 17, 1944; but he was able to evade the enemy and get back to Allied lines.
He also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
His DSC citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Clayton E. Davis (ASN: 0-666887), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 8 May 1944. On this date Captain Davis led a flight of fighter airplanes in an attack against fifteen enemy fighters and in the ensuing engagement destroyed one enemy airplane and assisted in the destruction of another. Captain Davis then joined two friendly fighters and was almost immediately attacked from above by twenty or more enemy fighters, one of which he destroyed. Alone at a very lone altitude and with only one gun firing, Captain Davis courageously attacked an destroyed an enemy fighter over an airdrome in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. The heroic and fearless behavior of Captain Davis in the face of odds and grave danger reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 44 (July 22, 1944)
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: 1 * Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m) * Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m) * Height: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m) * Wing area: 235 ft� (21.83 m�) * Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,465 kg) * Loaded weight: 9,200 lb (4,175 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,490 kg) * Powerplant: 1� Packard Merlin V-1650-7 liquid-cooled supercharged V-12, 1,695 hp (1,265 kW) * Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0163 * Drag area: 3.80 ft� (0.35 m�) * Aspect ratio: 5.83
Performance
* Maximum speed: 437 mph (703 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m) * Cruise speed: 362 mph (580 km/h) * Stall speed: 100 mph (160 km/h) * Range: 1,650 mi (2,755 km) with external tanks * Service ceiling 41,900 ft (12,770 m) * Rate of climb: 3,200 ft/min (16.3 m/s) * Wing loading: 39 lb/ft� (192 kg/m�) * Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (300 W/kg) * Lift-to-drag ratio: 14.6 * Recommended Mach limit 0.8
Armament
* 6 � 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns; 400 rounds per gun for the two inboard guns; 270 per outboard gun * 2 hardpoints for up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) * 10 � 5 in (127 mm) rockets
Specifications
* A-36A Apache - Dive bomber (US Army) * F-6 - US Army offshoots model * F-6A - US Army offshoots model * F-6C - Reconnaissance variant * P-51A - More powerful powerplant; 4 x machine guns. * P-51B - 4 x machine guns; Original and bubble canopy. * P-51C - 4 x machine guns; Original and bubble canopy. * P-51D - Classic variant; most produced. * P-51H - Lighter airframe version * P-51K - Featuring an Aeroproducts propeller. * F-51 - Redesignated to "Fighter" in the new jet fighter age. * F-6K - Reconnaissance version of P-51K
